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Stars’ favourite hotel at war with neighbours over round-the-clock drinks

A hotel frequented by Lady Gaga, Victoria Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio and the royals has sparked complaints over fears about all-night parties.

Blakes Hotel, dubbed the world’s first boutique hotel, has applied for a licence to serve drinks around the clock to guests and visitors.

Situated at the end of a row of 18th-century Georgian townhouses in South Kensington, the five-star hotel boasts an award-winning basement bar that currently stops serving alcohol at midnight.

Guests have included the Duchess of York, who celebrated her 40th birthday there, Princess Margaret, Gwyneth Paltrow, Diana Ross, Kate Moss, Quentin Tarantino and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Liam Gallagher and Patsy Kensit are believed to have spent the first night of their honeymoon at the hotel. Now in its 41st year, Blakes was styled by renowned British designer Anouska Hempel and is thought to be the first couture hotel of its kind. Suites cost up to £795 a night.

However, neighbours fear an increase in noise from celebrity parties and chauffeured cars waiting outside the hotel during the night.

Leonardo DiCaprio is a frequent patron to the hotel (Dave Benett)
Leonardo DiCaprio is a frequent patron to the hotel (Dave Benett)

Kensington and ­Chelsea council has received 12 letters of objection to plans to extend the venue’s alcohol licence.

One resident wrote: “This is not a nightclub, it’s a hotel on a quiet residential street and therefore should not have this crazy late licence.”

Keith Mehaffy, an environmental health officer with Kensington and Chelsea, submitted a representation from the council saying they had received a number of complaints from neighbours. He said he had met the manager several times and asked that additional conditions be added to the licence to address smoking and dispersal of customers if the application is granted.

Victoria Beckham pictured outside Blakes Hotel (Getty images)
Victoria Beckham pictured outside Blakes Hotel (Getty images)

Another neighbour said: “[Residents] have noticed on special occasions chauffeured cars parking along the entire street … So far, the negative impact for residents has been only from time to time … There is concern that this may now change into a permanent, negative situation.”

One resident in the street said: “Previously Blakes would be like a nightclub two or three times a week until 2am-3am with intrusive music, people shouting in the street, cars idling, revving — the kind of things expected in an entertainment district.”

Conservative councillor Greg Hammond said: “The application appears to seek significant extra freedoms for the hotel to operate as a ‘destination’ for non-hotel guests, including 24/7 sale of alcohol ... This would be unacceptable in adding extra traffic and noise to a quiet residential area.”

The licence application, made by hotel owner Blake Management Ltd, is due to be decided by the council’s licensing committee on February 28. Neil McMillan, general manager at Blakes Hotel, said: “The hotel is in receipt of the residents’ objections and is currently reviewing them.”